Mute for violins and other stringed instruments.



B.A.ANDRAUD,BORN'B.A.GOUDON,&1M.G.ANDRAUD= MUTE FOR VIOLINS AND OTHER STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. s, 1911.

1,125,929, Patented Jan. 26, 1915.

INVENTORS v THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGIUN. D. C

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFTCE.

BERTHE ANNE ANDBAUD,BORN BERTHE ANNE GOUIDON, AND M'AURICE CHARLES ANDEAUD, 01 EABIS, FRANCE.

MUTE FOR VIOLIN'S AND OTHER STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed February 8, 1911.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, BEnrHE ANNE AN- DRAUD, born BERTHE ANNE GoUDoN, widow of Lr'JoN EUGENE ANDRAUD, and MAURICE CHARLES ANDRAUD, both of 4 Rue Neuve- Popincourt, in the city of Paris, Republic of France, watch and clock material manufacturers, have invented an Improved Mute for Violins and other Stringed Instruments, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mute for stringed instruments which will prevent vibrations along the whole length of the bridge.

The essential features of this mute are that it comprises five legs and that it is made of two distinct sheets of metal separated from each other at their upper part by a small plate of suitable vibration deadening material.

By way of example the invention is represented in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is an elevation of the mute forming the subject of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line A-A of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a vertical longitudinal section on the line B-B of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows the mute in use. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a slightly moditied form.

As seen in the drawing, the mute forming the subject of the present invention is arranged so as to be applied upon the whole length of the bridge. It comprises five legs a, forming four spaces 6, intended to be placed above the strings of the instrument (Fig. 1). This mute is formed of two sheets of steel 0 and d, separated from each other at their upper part, by a plate 6 of suitable vibration deadening material, fibrin, ebonite, or like material. The sheets 0 d, and the plate 6, are connected together by rivets f, and they are conveniently perforated as shown in the drawing. The mute thus ar ranged deadens equally the sound of all the strings, the bridge being gripped on each side of each of these strings. Further, in consequence of its method of construction by Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 26, 1915.

Serial No. 607,897.

means of two punched sheets of steel, separated by a plate of vibration deadening material, each of these sheets vibrates separately, but these vibrations are arrested by the vibration deadening material in such a manner that they do not afiect the son0 rousness of the instrument.

The mute constructed according to the present invention enables a homogeneous- .ness, a purity and an equality of sounds to be obtained which cannot be obtained with ordinary mutes.

It will be understood that this mute may be applied to all stringed instruments: violin, tenor violin, Violoncello and counter bass. Also, the forms, dimensions and arrangements of detail may vary according to circumstances without modifying the principle of the invention.

Claims:

1. A mute for violins and like instruments comprising two spaced sheets of metal and vibration-deadening material interposed between and secured to said sheets adjacent the upper edges thereof, the lower edges of said sheets being spaced to grip tightly the faces of the bridge of the instrument, said lower edges having projecting teeth spaced to'pass between the strings of the instrument.

2. A mute for violins and like instruments comprising two sheets of metal, said sheets being in parallel spaced relation to one another, and a plate of vibration-deadening material interposed between and secured to said sheets adjacent the upper edges thereof, the lower edges of said sheets being spaced to grip tightly the faces of the bridge of the instrument said lower edges having projecting teeth spaced to pass between the strings of the instrument.

The foregoing specification of our improved mute for violins and other stringed instruments signed by us this 27th day of January 1911.

BERTHE ANNE ANDRAUD, BORN BERTHE ANNE GOUDON. MAURICE CHARLES ANDRAUD. Witnesses:

DEAN B. MASON, R. CHinIor.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of IPatents,

Washington, D. C. 

